What are the best horse breeds for beginners and how do I get them?

In Red Dead Online, choosing the right horse is crucial for beginners, as it directly impacts your mobility, stamina, and overall gameplay experience. Horses vary in speed, stamina, health, and temperament, so selecting a breed that suits your playstyle is essential. For beginners, the best horse breeds are those that balance affordability, reliability, and performance. The Kentucky Saddler, Morgan, and Tennessee Walker are excellent starting options due to their low cost and decent stats.\n\nTo acquire these horses, you’ll need to visit a stable, which can be found in major towns like Valentine, Saint Denis, or Blackwater. Stables are marked on your map with a horse icon. Once inside, interact with the stable hand to browse available horses. The Kentucky Saddler, for example, costs around $50 and offers solid speed and stamina for early-game tasks. The Morgan and Tennessee Walker are similarly priced and provide reliable performance for hunting, traveling, and missions.\n\nGame mechanics play a significant role in horse management. Each horse has core stats: Health, Stamina, Speed, and Acceleration. Health determines how much damage your horse can take, while Stamina affects how long it can gallop before tiring. Speed and Acceleration are self-explanatory but are less critical for beginners compared to Health and Stamina. To improve these stats, you can equip better saddles and stirrups, which are available at stables. For example, the Improved Saddle increases Stamina regeneration, making it easier to travel long distances without stopping.\n\nOne common challenge for beginners is maintaining their horse’s health and bonding level. Bonding is a mechanic that increases as you spend time with your horse, grooming, feeding, and calming it. Higher bonding levels unlock better stats and abilities, such as increased Stamina and the ability to perform advanced maneuvers. To bond quickly, feed your horse regularly with hay or wild carrots, and pat or brush it to keep its health core full. Avoid running your horse into obstacles or overworking it, as this can lower its health and bonding progress.\n\nFor players looking to upgrade their horse early, the Red Chestnut Arabian is a fantastic option. While it’s not the cheapest horse, it’s one of the best beginner-friendly breeds due to its high speed and acceleration. You can find this horse in the wild near Lake Isabella, northwest of Valentine. Taming it requires patience and a steady hand, as it’s a skittish breed. Approach slowly, calm it with the L2/LT button, and mount it when prompted. Once tamed, it’s yours to keep and use.\n\nPractical tips for beginners include always carrying Horse Reviver in your inventory. This item can save your horse if it’s critically injured, preventing you from losing it permanently. Additionally, invest in a good saddle early on, as it significantly boosts your horse’s performance. Finally, avoid fast-traveling too often, as riding your horse helps build bonding and allows you to explore the world more thoroughly.\n\nIn summary, beginners should focus on affordable, reliable horse breeds like the Kentucky Saddler, Morgan, or Tennessee Walker. Visit stables in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis to purchase these horses, and prioritize bonding and health management. For those willing to put in the effort, the Red Chestnut Arabian offers a significant upgrade and can be tamed near Lake Isabella. With proper care and the right equipment, your horse will become a trusted companion in your Red Dead Online journey.